27 July 2009, 23:00
Akhmed Zakayev calls on Chechen separatists to stop armed resistance
Akhmed Zakayev, one of the leaders of Chechen separatists has announced that the leadership of the unrecognized Chechen Republic of Ichkeria has taken a decision to stop armed actions against Chechen militia from August 1. According to him, the decision is the result of the meeting of Zakayev with Dukvakha Abdurakhmanov, chair of Chechen parliament.
For reference, on July 24, Abdurakhmanov and Zakhayev promised to make a joint statement on the negotiation results. At the time, experts did not rule out the possibility that Akhmed Zakhayev may announce his return to his motherland. Zakhayev himself has made a statement to the effect that he never intended to remain in a foreign land and that he will surely return to Chechnya where the situation, according to him, is still unstable.
The joint meeting of the parliament and the Ichkeria government has adopted a decision within the framework of a peaceful dialogue on stopping armed clashes on the republic's territory from August 1. "We have proposed to the commander of the main headquarters of Ichkeria armed units to prepare a draft order in accordance with which, from August 1, our militants will not use arms against Chechen militia, except for self-defense", stated Akhmed Zakhayev yesterday, July 26, as cited by "Kommersant", and added: "I very much hope that, starting from this day, Chechens will never shoot at each other".
Zakhayev also thinks that his dialogue with the Chechen authorities may influence those militants who currently are subordinated to Doka Umarov and they will support the peaceful initiatives.
Mister Zakhayev has given a negative answer to the question whether the problem of his return to Chechnya and cessation of his criminal prosecution by Russian law enforcement agencies was discussed at the Oslo meeting.
